Entertainment courses

The importance of quality sound in a movie cannot be overstated. Of particular interest to directors and independent filmmakers who want to understand the production and post-production workflow, this overview course covers such topics as the nature of sound…

Designed for filmmakers who need to develop the necessary skills to make better films and viewers who want to better understand and appreciate the complexity of the cinematic text, this course outlines the many components of film language used by great…

The great Russian actor, director, and teacher Konstantin Stanislavski had a method that combined physicality and spirituality when building a character as the shorter route to finding its inner life. Learn these practical techniques of Stanislavski to…

Editing is storytelling. Throughout the process, from first assembly to final delivery, editors are responsible for fulfilling the film's potential through a full command of craft, as well as an aesthetic understanding of story, character and rhythm. By…

The camera is the essential tool of the filmmaker. This course prepares cinematographers and digital filmmakers to utilize the camera by employing an aesthetic and technical approach to projects. The essential technical aspects of how digital cinema cameras…

This course is designed to help you develop a stronger understanding of lighting for motion pictures. Through lectures, workshops, assignments, and in-class exercises, you learn about different lighting styles and techniques. Special emphasis is placed on…

This comprehensive, step-by-step overview of physical production processes covers the tangible and intangible aspects of line producing, including budget; breakdown and scheduling; hiring and working with cast, director, staff, crew and outside vendors;…

Adobe Premiere Pro is used by professionals across the spectrum of filmed entertainment, including feature films, music videos and documentaries. You learn how to use this powerful program, from simple editing techniques to more complex compositing, layering,…

In the second part of the Directing Workshop series, participants complete short narrative films using their own digital video camera. Focusing on storytelling, instruction teaches participants how to apply the principles and essential elements of dramatic…

Producers, development executives, directors and writers gain practical experience adapting and developing their own stories for motion pictures, movies-of-the-week and miniseries. Emphasis is placed on studying dramatic structure, learning techniques that…

Producers, executives, writers and filmmakers all focus on story components that make for a good movie. Learn to identify the specific characteristics that define various film genres and how style, form, content, mood, camera work, lighting and pacing work…

Gain experiential understanding of improvisational acting and develop a strong improvisational perspective essential to scripted work. Through theater games and improvised scenes, develop tools to make you more trusting of your own impulses and more generous…

Learn about the opportunities available to the independent documentary producer in this overview of the entire documentary production process, from idea through distribution. Emphasis is placed on today's market--for both television and theatrical…

As the first hands-on course in the directing series, you complete four short films using your own video camera. Instruction focuses on the basic building blocks of narrative filmmaking: the shot, mise-en-scene, concept, the actor, environment, sound and…

In this capstone course of the Directing Certificate program, you maximize your learning experience and improve your filmmaking skills through the creation of a short film that is screened for an invited audience after the end of the course. Having first…

For production managers, producers, corporate finance personnel and production accounting professionals, this course provides you with a practical understanding of the budgeting process, including how to use Movie Magic Budgeting, a budgeting software…

Always wanted to make your own short film but thought you had no experience and no money? In this class for aspiring directors, writers, and producers, you use your own camera to learn how to write, produce, direct and edit a three-to-five-minute short film.…

Learn the development process as it relates to short films with the focus on developing a short film treatment, first draft and second draft. You gain an understanding of the basics of story structure and how the specific storytelling elements—theme, plot,…

Designed for aspiring readers, development executives, producers and storytellers, this course offers a pragmatic, comprehensive overview of story analysis and the tools used by the professional reader. Throughout the course, you learn and practice coverage…

Through improvisation and scene work, explore basic concepts of the Meisner approach to acting with a focus on creating and living in imaginary circumstances. Learn to work more independently, improve rehearsal and research skills, and strengthen vocal and…

In today's ever-evolving TV business and market, figuring out how and where to sell your "product" can be confusing. Once you've settled on an idea, then what are the next steps? How do TV shows get "on the air?" Producers, development executives, directors…

If directors are the architects of film, then actors are the artisans of a collaborative team working together to realize a singular vision. Through discussions, exercises, casting sessions and the presentation of scenes, you analyze and apply the directorial…

The internship program allows certificate students to receive elective credit for work performed with companies in the music and entertainment media communities. Students must work a minimum of 120 hours in order to receive the 4 units of credit associated…

This course will immerse you in the creative and logistical process of scoring a film. Topics include collaborating and communicating with directors, dealing with temp scores, learning how spotting sessions work, incorporating themes and variations, and…

Thousands of TV commercials are produced and scored every year, and the advertising business is always looking for something fresh, new and different. In this online course, composers fine-tune their musical skills to become more precise and focused…

This seminar is for film composers, filmmakers and others interested in the subtle art of film scoring. It examines the crucial contribution music makes to narrative and emotional expression in film. Lectures and discussions, enhanced with film clips and…

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Logic Pro, focusing on the core workflows used in modern music production. Students will create a complete musical piece from concept through final mix and export while building the technical proficiency…

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Pro Tools, focusing on the core workflows used in professional audio production. Students will produce a complete song from session setup through final mix while building the technical proficiency required…

Record-low album sales, industry lay-offs and ever-evolving changes in technology can be disheartening for the aspiring artist looking to break into the business, but nothing could be further from the truth! There's never been a better time to be a…

In today's rapidly evolving music industry, licensing stands out as one of the most stable ways to make money. Turning your talent into dollars and cents requires an understanding of how the licensing process works. This introductory course for entertainers,…

Discover the fundamental aspects of the concert touring industry. This course guides students through the entire touring process, from planning to settling live performances. Participants gain an understanding of different tour revenue streams, such as ticket…

This course provides an overview of the role of the record producer and their responsibility through all the stages of making a record: pre-production, recording, overdubs, editing, mixing and mastering. Topics include how to use appropriate terminology to…

Focusing on the vital business skills needed to build and maintain your career as a film and television composer, this course features comprehensive coverage of current business and financial practices in the industry. You learn about the role of agents,…

A definitive analysis of the functions of the A&R professional, this course stresses the collective effort needed from all departments--artist and label--in the creation of recorded music in all format from creation to acquisition and release. Topics include…

Specifically tailored to independent artists, this course presents a practical and effective introduction to the theory, art and craft of sound recording. Instruction covers the basics of audio, acoustics and electronics, as well as the theory and operation…

In this course, you learn the techniques of twentieth/twenty-first century harmony while also applying the theoretical concepts to your own compositions. You are exposed to a wide variety of modern-era harmonic practices, starting with an introduction to the…

Designed for both musicians and lyricists, this hands-on introduction to the craft of songwriting focuses on collaboration and teaches a step-by-step method for writing a professional-quality song. Instruction emphasizes the elements that make up a successful…

Today, marketing entertainment is a global enterprise, and motion pictures, television shows, streaming content and video games are the assets that drive expanding ancillary markets. How these properties are marketed determines their financial success and…

Responsible for maintaining financial controls and financial reporting of all production funds, the production accountant must provide timely and accurate reporting of the financial information that will enable the producers to maximize production values.…

What are the considerations involved in financing, packaging, selling or acquiring a financially viable film? Producers, filmmakers and screenwriters learn what makes a project attractive to potential buyers; study a variety of deal structures; and learn how…

This course covers the financial aspects of each step of the motion picture value chain (from development through profit participation) and considers the implications of financial choices. Designed to give you a general understanding of how financial deals…

With the entertainment industry converging into a worldwide mass media, both business and operation models continue to rapidly evolve. This introductory course for producers, directors, writers, development personnel and aspiring media executives examines the…

This unique course explores key legal principles and contractual relationships within the film and television industry through a dynamic assortment of lectures and hands-on workshops. You develop a core understanding of subjects including idea protection,…

The Advanced Entertainment Financing Course covers the complexities of the entertainment industry's financial landscape and provides a comprehensive understanding of contemporary funding sources. Students learn to apply advanced financial structures in…

The internship program allows certificate students to receive elective credit for work performed with companies in the film, television, and entertainment media communities. Students must work a minimum of 120 hours in order to receive the 4 units of credit…

In this detailed exploration of low-budget filmmaking, learn techniques and theories examining all phases of the process, from development to production to post-production. The focus is on translating a minimum budget into maximum quality on screen. Topics…

As the business of film has become more reliant on the international market, so has the production of film. Both studio and independent producers alike must understand the ever-evolving rules and principles to producing in countries around the world. This…

In the Internet age, uploading your work to YouTube or Vimeo is imperative, and successful producers/directors/actors can now demonstrate a growing online audience. This course shows you how to create a public face and promotional platform for your creative…

Emphasizing how new technologies continue to impact post-production, this course provides an overview of the post-production pipeline from dailies through delivery. Class topics include a step-by-step overview of each stage of the process and building the…

This survey course presents an overview of the real-world aspects of producing as practiced in the various sectors of filmed entertainment, from script development through pre-production and production. Topics include the producer's interface with the writer,…